Winona State tops Hawaii Pacific 71-56 in Hawaii Classic

HONOLULU, Hawaii - Winona State women's basketball earned their second consecutive win to open the season, defeating Hawaii Pacific 71-56 in the semifinals of the Hoops in Hawaii Classic.

Four Warriors reached double-figure scoring, led by Vivica Bretton's 14 points. Sadie Jarmolowicz notched a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double in the victory.

Winona State jumped out to an early 4-0 lead and stretched it to a seven-point advantage in the opening four minutes of the game. HPU brought it within one at 9-8, but WSU ensued on an 8-1 run to take a comfortable lead and finished the quarter up 22-14.

A three-pointer from Megan Johnson on the first possession of the second stanza gave Winona State a double-digit lead, which they held until Hawaii Pacific cut it to nine points with 3:44 left in the third. A 9-0 run crossing the final quarter break gave WSU an 18-point lead, which was plenty as the Warriors held on comfortably for a 71-56 win.

Checking the box score

• Winona State earned the 71-56 win over Hawaii Pacific University to move to 2-0 on the season.
• Bretton (14), Megan Schuman (12), Sydney Cherney (11), and Jarmolowicz (10) all reached double figures for WSU.
• Bretton tallied six assists and Jarmolowicz added five.
• The Warriors shot 44.4% from the field, 25% from three, and 58.6% from the charity stripe.
• HPU went 33.3% from the field and cashed in on 13 of 31 three-point attempts.
• 12 Warriors saw action in the convincing victory.

• Winona State sits at 2-0 and advances to the championship game of the Hoops in Hawaii Classic.
• Hawaii Pacific drops to 1-1 on the season.
• The Warriors are now 1-0 all-time versus HPU.
• WSU will take on No. 2 nationally ranked Colorado Mesa in their final game in Hawaii. The Warriors have won the only two meetings between the teams, most recently in 2003.

Winona State will take on Colorado Mesa in the championships of the Hoops in Hawaii Classic on Saturday, October 31st at 7 p.m. HST (11 p.m. CST).